Go Green and Save Money - Tips for New Parents

1. Buy Only What You Need

A new parent could spend a fortune when preparing for the arrival of a baby. Retailers often create "New Parent Check-List," which advice you to purchase everything under the sun - wipe warmers, pacifiers, and crib toys galore. This advice is misleading because every child is different. Some parents cannot afford wipe warmers, many babies only use the pacifier first offered to them in the hospital, and infants only require a few toys. Expecting parent's "nesting" intuition can lead us to over prepare. Instead of buying goods you many never use, use a minimalist approach to preparing for a new baby; especially if you have space issues. Purchase only the basics and then everything else only as the need arises. This approach saves money, prevents waste, and frankly, when we did finally need to buy something, I enjoyed having a reason to get out of the house.

2. Use Second Hand Products

Gently used items are easy on the pocket book as well as the environment. Furniture, strollers, clothes, and toys add up. It takes a great deal of energy to manufacture all the products we use in a standard nursery. Additionally, the environmental price is high for packaging such items as well as gas for shipping. Every time you choose second hand baby products, you drastically minimize your family's ecological footprint. Keep an eye on websites such as Craigslist.com and eBay.com where gently used, designer baby items can be found at a fraction of the in-store price.

3. Nurse or Use Glass Bottles

Doctors rave about the health benefits of nursing, but there also are a great deal of environmental benefits to nursing - breast milk is as "local" as it gets and it is 100% eco-friendly. So, by all means, nurse if you are willing and able. You will save a lot of money without the additional expense of formula! However, if you are not able to nurse, consider glass bottles as it is easier for glass to biodegrade. I personally used Dr. Brown's glass bottles as they are affordable and reduce colic in infants; however, be aware that these bottle do contain a few plastic inserts.

4. Make Your Own Baby Food

Why buy one small jar of carrots for a dollar when you can buy a large bag of carrots for the same price? Making your own baby food is more economical and it is safer for the environment; it certainly will minimize the amount of waste in your trash bin! You should also note that whipping up blender baby food is extremely easy - simply steam whatever veggies you plan to eat for dinner and then toss your baby's portion into a blender. It's so easy - even I can do it!

5. Get Green Diaper Savvy

If you choose to clothe diaper you will save money, especially if you launder the diapers yourself. Make sure you use environmentally safe detergent and consider line drying them to save energy. On the other hand, I do realize cloth diapering does not fit the needs of every family. If you decide to use disposable, try Chlorine-Free Diapers such as the ones made by "Seventh Generation." They are comparable to name brand diapers and can be purchased for a little less through online retailers such as diapers.com. Also, please forgo the Diaper Genie; honestly, they are death to the planet via plastic bags.

6. Look for Baby Goods with Eco-Friendly Containers

A simple way to go green is to use eco-friendly containers for goods such as baby food, shampoos and lotions. For instance, opt for the old-fashioned glass baby jars rather than the new plastic containers, which many baby food manufacturers now use. Also, instead of using liquid baby soap in plastic bottles, search for baby soap in bar form. Baby bar soaps are just as gentle as liquid soap, but less expensive and much kinder to the planet - even Johnson's baby wash comes in bar form; on drugstore.com, Johnson's Baby Bar retails at only $2.29 a bar. What a bargain!

7. Make Your Own Household Cleaners

Homemade cleaners are safe for babies, non-toxic, and inexpensive. Using a good recipe is key to creating a cleaner that will produce effective results. I recently read an article in "Healthy Living," which outlined a recipe for a strong all-purpose cleaner that works great on stove tops: 2 cups of rubbing alcohol; ½ cup of white vinegar, and 1 tsp of dish liquid such as Dawn. Please also note, your house does not have to smell like vinegar just because you clean with vinegar - simply add ½ tsp of mint extract or other essential oil to your recipe for an aromatic effect.

"Buy Johnson's Baby Soap Bar, 3 oz." Drugstore.com.
"Distinctly Different All Purpose Cleaner Recipe." Healthy Living.